Toy system for demolishing a toy structure, and related methods

ABSTRACT

A toy system for demolishing a toy structure comprises a plurality of panels combinable to form a toy structure, a device for displacing one or more of the panels that have been combined to form a toy structure, and a controller for triggering the device. The device of the toy system is positionable anywhere relative to the toy structure, and includes a ram that is forced against a panel to displace the panel. The ram may be a variety of different sizes, and the device may include any number of rams. The toy system allows a user to knock down an assembled toy structure in many different ways by varying the number of devices used, the number of rams per device engaged, the velocity of each ram, and the position of the device, as well as other factors.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority from commonly owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/798,814, filed 15 Mar. 2013, and titled Demolition Lab, presently pending, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

People learn new concepts faster and more efficiently by doing, rather than passively reading or observing. This is especially true for science, where abstract concepts can be hard to grasp. One way to stimulate interest and comprehension of scientific concepts, especially in regards to children and young adults, is to couple the science with fun visual experiments. Children more easily understand an abstract principle such as force or gravity when they can use the principle to achieve an exciting result—such as constructing and destroying a toy building. Although a book can teach about construction and the forces that support walls, ceilings and floors, interactive learning allows a user to manipulate those forces by actually assembling a model building to determine through trial and error what arrangements of parts will be able to withstand gravity. Similarly, once a user has assembled a model building, the same scientific concepts used to construct can be used to demolish the building.

Toys exist for constructing buildings and knocking them down. Many of these toys have fixed parameters. The buildings must be consistently built in the same way, or the mechanism to knock the building down must be employed consistently in the same manner. Unfortunately, repeating the same method over and over does little to elucidate the scientific principles such as force or gravity because the results are necessarily the same.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the invention, a toy system for demolishing a toy structure comprises a plurality of panels combinable to form a toy structure, a device for displacing one or more of the panels that have been combined to form a toy structure, and a controller for triggering the device. The device of the toy is positionable anywhere relative to the toy structure, and includes a ram that is forced against a panel to displace the panel. The ram may be a variety of different sizes, and the device may include any number of rams, allowing a user to knock down a toy structure in many different ways. A user may desire to knock down a toy building by positioning a device within an assembled toy structure, sometimes positioning the device on a first, second, or third story of a building. Other times, a user may desire to use several devices positioned around the periphery of a building to cause the building to collapse. The toy system allows a user to knock down an assembled toy structure in many different ways by varying the number of devices used, the number of rams per device engaged, the velocity of each ram, and the position of the device, as well as other factors. Each new combination of devices and positions creates a new experience for the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a device of the toy system shown in FIG. 1, showing a ram of the device in a first position, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 2A, showing the ram in a second position, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2C is a partial cross-sectional view of the ram shown in FIG. 2A, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2D is partial cross-sectional view of the ram shown in FIG. 2B, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a toy system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a device showing the ram in a second position, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are views of a device, each according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a view of a device, according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 includes two views of a device, each according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a device and a controller, according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an aspect of the invention a toy system includes a plurality of panels that one can combine to construct a toy structure, a device for displacing one or more of the panels of the toy structure to demolish the structure, and a controller to trigger the device. The invention also comprises a method for demolishing such a toy structure. The toy structure to be demolished can be any size or shape, such as a small single-story building, or a complex multi-level tower. The toy structure may be demolished by triggering a single device against a wall of the structure, thus compromising the integrity of the structure and causing its collapse. Or, the toy structure may be demolished by triggering several devices against a wall, floor, or ceiling of the structure, either simultaneously or sequentially. The position of the one or more devices is up to the user, thus allowing the user to experiment with different demolition conditions.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The toy system 10 includes a plurality of panels 11 that one can combine to construct a toy structure 12, a device 20 for displacing one or more of the panels 11 of the toy structure 12 to demolish the structure, and a controller 14 to trigger the device by sending an electric signal to the device 20 through a wire 15 when the controller's button 16 is pushed. The panels 11 can be combined as desired to form any desired toy structure 12 (here, a complex five-story structure that includes a bridge). The device 20 (discussed in greater detail in conjunction with FIGS. 2A-2D, and 4-8) may be placed at any desired location inside or outside the toy structure 12, and includes a ram 21 that the device accelerates from a first position toward a second position when the controller 14 triggers the device. By positioning the device 20 such that the ram 21 sits next to a panel 11 of the toy structure 12, the ram 21 accelerates against the panel 11 when triggered, and displaces the panel. If the panel 11 is displaced far enough, then all or a portion of the toy structure 12 will collapse.

In some embodiments, a controller 14 triggers a first device 20 and a second device 20 sequentially by sending an electric signal through a wire 15, the first device being connected to the second device by the wire 15 in a daisy chain arrangement (not shown).

Because the devices 20 are positionable anywhere relative to the toy structure 12, the toy structure may be demolished in many different ways, and thus teach a user the strengths and weaknesses of the specific structure. And, because the toy structure may be any desired structure, one can learn the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of different structural designs. Each new combination of devices, positions and structures creates a new experience for the user.

Still referring to FIG. 1, each panel 11 may be configured as desired. For example, in this and certain other embodiments, one or more of the panels 11 is rectangular shaped cardboard about the size of a standard playing card (4 inches by 3 inches) and is decorated as desired so that some of the panels 11 resemble a wall (exterior or interior), some a floor, and some a ceiling. In other embodiments, some of the panels 11 may be decorated to resemble a portion of a bridge or a portion of a pillar that typically supports a bridge or other structure. In other embodiments, some of the panels 11 may be constructed of plastic, metal, wood, or any desired combination of the materials.

In this and certain other embodiments, the toy system 10 also includes a footing 13 (22 shown but only two labeled for clarity) coupleable with a panel to provide the panel extra stability. The footing 13 may be configured as desired. For example, in this and certain other embodiments, the footing 13 includes a clamp 17 that includes a slot (not shown) configured to releasably and frictionally hold a panel 11 anywhere along an edge of the panel 11. By releasably holding the panel 11, one may locate the footing 13 anywhere along an edge of a panel, and thus support the panel at a variety of different locations along the panel's edge. This allows one to construct toy structures that are similar in their overall shape but configured differently, and thus allows one to observe the benefits and detriments of a specific configuration relative to other configurations for the same, general toy structure. The footing 13 also includes a base 18 that rests on a surface such as a top of a table, a floor, or another panel to increase the stability of the panel coupled to it. The footings 13 can be any size and shape to hold the panels, and can be constructed of any desired materials, such as plastic, cardboard, or moldable clay.

FIGS. 2A-2D show four views of the device 20 shown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2A shows two rams 21, each set in a first position. FIG. 2B shows the two rams 21 in a second position, after each has been accelerated from their respective first position toward their respective second position. FIG. 2C shows one of the rams 21 set in the first position. And, FIG. 2D shows one of the rams 21 in the second position.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2D, the device 20 may be configured as desired to hold a ram 21 in a first position and, when triggered, accelerate the ram 21 toward a second position. For example, in this and certain other embodiments, the device 20 includes a spring 24 that is compressed when the ram 21 is located in the first position. To hold the ram 21 at the first position, a tab 22 is urged against the ram 21 by another spring (not shown), and contacts the lip 23 of the ram 21 to prevent the spring 24 from accelerating the ram 21 toward the second position. To release the ram 21 from the first position, an electro magnet (not shown) coupled to the tab 22 is charged by an electric current from the controller 14 (FIG. 1). When charged, the magnetic field generated by the electro magnet causes another magnet (not shown) to rotate about 100 degrees and thus pull the tab 22 away from the ram 21. When the electro magnet is not charged, the spring that urges the tab 22 toward the ram 21 moves the tab 22 toward the ram 21. With the spring 24 compressed and the tab 22 moved out of contact with the ram 21, the spring 24 expands to release its energy, and thus accelerates the ram 21 toward the second position. In this and other embodiments, the amount of acceleration provided by the spring 24 is about 10 ft/s², but in other embodiments the amount of acceleration may be more or less than 10 ft/s².

The first and second positions may be any desired positions. For example in this and certain other embodiments, the first and second positions for each ram 21 are collinear and approximately one inch apart. In other embodiments, the first and second positions may be collinear and more than or less than one inch apart. In still other embodiments, the first and second positions may not be collinear but rather different locations along a curved line, such as the end points of a half circle's perimeter.

Other embodiments of the device 20 are possible. For example, the device 20 may include one or more than two rams 21. For another example, the device 20 may include two rams 21 that are not opposite each other. In other words, a first ram 21 may move in a first direction toward its respective second position, and a second ram 21 may move in a second direction, that is not opposite the first direction, toward its respective second position. For another example, the device 20 may include an elastic that is stretched when the ram 21 is set in its first position, and contracts when the ram 21 is released from its first position. For another example, the device 20 may include any other desired mechanism for holding the ram 21 in its first position and for releasing the ram 21 from its first position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a toy system 10 that includes two devices 20 and a controller 14 that triggers each device 20, according to an embodiment of the invention. The controller 14 may trigger each device 20 simultaneously or sequentially, or may also trigger each ram 21 of a device 20 simultaneously or sequentially. With such a controller 14, one may subject the toy structure 12 to a variety of different demolition protocols.

The controller 14 may be configured as desired to trigger a device 20. For example, in this and other embodiments, the controller 14 includes an infrared signal transmitter, and triggers a device 20 by generating and transmitting an infrared signal to a receiver of a device 20. When the device 20 receives the infrared signal, the device's receiver converts the infrared signal into an electrical signal that in turn causes electric current from a battery to charge an electro magnet to generate a magnetic field (as discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 2A-2D). When charged, the magnetic field generated by the electro magnet causes the ram 21 to accelerate toward the second position. The infrared signal transmitter may be any desired conventional infrared signal transmitter, and the device's receiver may be any desired conventional infrared signal receiver. Likewise, the controller 14 may include any desired conventional infrared generator.

Other embodiments are possible. For example, a controller 14 may trigger a device 20 via a signal whose frequency is greater than or less than an infrared signal's frequency, such as a radio signal. In such embodiments, the device 20 is configured to receive a radio signal and convert the signal into an electrical signal. A radio signal may be desired when one wants to trigger a device 20 while the controller 14 is hidden from the device 20, or does not lie in a line of sight with the device 20.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the controller 14 includes an interface 19 that allows one to direct the controller's communication with a device 20. For example, in this and other embodiments, the interface 19 includes a power switch 17 to power on or off the controller's infrared generator and transmitter, and three detonator buttons 16 a-16 c to cause the controller's infrared transmitter to transmit an infrared signal to the devices 20. When the power switch 17 is “off”, the switch 17 prevents electricity from powering the infrared generator and transmitter, and thus disables the detonator buttons 16 a-16 c. When the power switch is “on”, the switch 17 allows electricity to power the infrared generator and transmitter, and thus enables the detonator buttons 16 a-16 c. To trigger a device 20, one first turns the switch 17 to an “on” position to enable the appropriate detonator button 16 a, 16 b or 16 c, then one pushes the desired detonator button 16 a, 16 b or 16 c to cause the infrared transmitter to transmit an infrared signal toward the device 20.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the controller 14 may be configured as desired to trigger one or both of the devices 20. For example, in this and other embodiments, the detonator button 16 a may be pushed to trigger the device 20 located at the base of the toy structure 12 to accelerate both of the device's rams 21. The detonator button 16 b may be pushed to trigger the device 20 located within the toy structure 12 to accelerate both of the device's rams 21. And, the third detonator button 16 c may be pushed to trigger both devices 20 simultaneously to accelerate their respective rams 21.

Other embodiments are possible. For example, a controller 14 may include a detonator button that triggers a device 20 to accelerate one of the device's two rams 21, but not the other ram 21. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 14 may include a detonator button that triggers a device 20 to accelerate the device's two rams 21, sequentially. For another example, a controller may include a timer coupled to a device. In such embodiments, one may set the timer to track a desired amount of time. When the desired amount of time expires, the controller 14 triggers the device 20 to accelerate a ram 21 toward a second position.

FIG. 4 shows a device 40 according to another embodiment of the invention. The device 40 is similar to the device 20 shown in FIGS. 1-3, and includes four rams 41 (each shown here in a second position). The device 40 is configured to accelerate each ram 41 in a different respective direction, and each ram 41 includes a square end 42.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a device 50, according to another embodiment of the invention. In this and other embodiments, the device 50 includes a balloon 51 that expands in size and contracts in size in response to the amount of liquid (here air) inside the balloon. The device 50 also includes a tube 52 coupled to the balloon to inject liquid into or remove liquid from the balloon. FIG. 5A shows the device 50 with the balloon 51 contracted to a first position, and FIG. 5B shows the device 50 with the balloon 51 expanded to a second position.

When the balloon 51 is not inflated, one may position the device 50 adjacent a panel 11 (FIGS. 1 and 3). One may then inject air or any other desired liquid through the tube 52 to inflate the balloon 51 to a second position. As the balloon expands, the balloon contacts and displaces a panel of a toy structure. If the balloon 51 is rapidly inflated, then the balloon's acceleration toward the second position generates a substantial force against the panel and may cause the panel to launch into an adjacent panel. If the balloon 51 is slowly inflated, then the balloon's expansion may slowly displace a panel 11, and allow one to more easily watch the initial collapse of one or more of the toy structure's panels. In some embodiments, one may inflate the balloon 51 manually by blowing into the tube 52. In other embodiments, the balloon 51 may be inflated by a pump (not shown) coupled to the tube 52. In such embodiments, the device may also include a valve (not shown) that a controller opens to trigger the device 50. When open, the valve allows liquid from the pump to flow through the tube 52 and into the balloon 51.

FIG. 6 shows a device 60, according to yet another embodiment of the invention. The device 60 is similar to the device 20 shown in FIGS. 1-3, and includes a ram 61 that is propelled away from a body 62, much like a rocket from a launch pad or a cannon ball from cannon. In such embodiments, the second position is any position where the ram 61 finally settles to rest.

FIG. 7 shows two views of a device 70, according to another embodiment of the invention. The device 70 is similar to the device 20 shown in FIGS. 1-3, and includes a ram 71 that may pivot relative to a base 72 to allow one to change the direction of the ram's acceleration relative to the position of the device 70. For example, one may position the device 70 adjacent a panel (11 in FIGS. 1 and 3) and direct the ram 71 vertically, or one may direct the ram 71 45 degrees away from vertical. The ram 71 also extends telescopically away from the base 72 when the device 70 is triggered to allow the second position to be further away from the ram's first position than the height of the device 70 when the ram is set in the first position. This allows one to experiment with different demolition conditions. For example, one may position the device 70 adjacent the first floor of a toy structure, and accelerate the ram 71 toward a second position located at a panel on the second or third floor of the toy structure.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a controller 80 coupled with a device 82 by a wire 84, according to another embodiment of the invention. The device 80 is similar to the device 20 shown in FIGS. 1-3, and includes a ram 86 (four shown here) that moves from a first position to a second position and then back to the first position when the controller 80 triggers the device 82. This movement between the first and second positions in the direction shown by the arrows 88, is done quickly to cause the rams 86 to vibrate.

The device 82 may be configured as desired to cause the rams 86 to vibrate. For example, in this and other embodiments, the device 82 includes a cam (not shown) coupled to a respective one of the rams 86. When the device 80 is triggered, the cam rotates causing the ram 86 to move from the first position to the second position and then back to the first position, repeatedly.

Still referring to FIG. 8, in this and other embodiments, the controller 80 includes a rheostat 83 that allows one to modify the amount of electric current sent from the controller 80 to the device 82, when the controller 80 triggers the device 82, to modify the frequency, the amplitude, or both, of the ram's vibration. For example, increasing the amount of current to the device 82 causes the cam of the device to rotate faster, thus increasing the frequency of the ram's vibration. Similarly, decreasing the amount of current to the device 82, causes the cam to rotate slower, thus decreasing the frequency of the ram's vibration. One may also use the rheostat 83 to turn the electric current off to stop the rotation of the cam, and thus stop the vibration of the rams 86.

Other embodiments are possible. For example, the controller 80 may include a rheostat 83 that can modify the amount of current to any of the rams 86 without modifying the amount of current to the remaining rams 86 to allow one to modify the vibration of the device 82 as a whole.

The preceding discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A toy system comprising: a plurality of panels combinable to form a toy structure; a device including a ram and operable to force the ram against one or more of the plurality of panels to demolish a toy structure formed by two or more of the plurality of panels, wherein the device is separate from the toy structure to be demolished; and a controller operable to trigger the device to force the ram against a panel of a toy structure formed by two or more of the plurality of panels.
 2. The toy system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels are combinable to form a toy structure having four stories, each story having four walls and a floor.
 3. The toy system of claim 1, wherein the device includes a spring operable to force the ram against one or more of the plurality of panels.
 4. The toy system of claim 1, wherein the ram does not separate from the device when forced against one or more of the plurality of panels.
 6. The toy system of claim 1, wherein the device: includes a first ram and a second ram, and is operable to force the first ram in a first direction, and to force the second ram in a second direction.
 5. The toy system of claim 1, wherein the device: includes a first ram and a second ram, and is operable to force the first ram in a first direction and to force the second ram in a second direction opposite the first direction.
 6. The toy system of claim 1, wherein the device: includes a first ram and a second ram, and is operable to force the first ram in a first direction and to force the second ram in a second direction, sequentially.
 7. The toy system of claim 1, wherein the device: includes a first ram and a second ram, and is operable to force the first ram in a first direction and to force the second ram in a second direction, simultaneously.
 8. The toy system of claim 1, wherein the device is operable to repeatedly force the ram against one or more of the plurality of panels to demolish a toy structure formed by two or more of the plurality of panels.
 9. The toy system of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to generate an infrared signal to cause the device to force the ram against a panel of a toy structure formed by two or more of the plurality of panels.
 10. The toy system of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a timer.
 11. The toy system of claim 1, wherein: the device includes a first ram and a second ram, and is operable to force the first ram in a first direction, and to force the second ram in a second direction, and the controller is operable to trigger the device to force at least one of the first ram and the second ram against a panel of the toy structure.
 12. A method for demolishing a toy structure, the method comprising: positioning a ram of a device adjacent to one or more panels of a toy structure, wherein the device is separate from the toy structure to be demolished; and forcing the ram of the device against a panel of the toy structure.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein positioning the ram includes positioning the ram outside the toy structure.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein forcing the ram of the device includes a spring that forces the ram.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein forcing the ram includes accelerating the ram at ten ft/s² against the panel.
 16. The method of claim 12 wherein: positioning the ram of a device includes positioning two rams of a device, and forcing the ram of the device includes sequentially forcing both rams.
 17. The method of claim 12 wherein: positioning the ram of a device includes positioning a second ram of a second device, and forcing the ram of the device includes sequentially forcing both rams.
 18. The method of claim 12 further comprising combining a plurality of panels to form the toy structure.
 19. The method of claim 12 further comprising triggering the device to force the ram against the panel of the toy structure. 